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LOT 1199
Exceptional Colt Model 1851 Navy Cartridge Conversion Revolver - Serial no. 1257,
38 RF cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., nickel finish, antique ivory grips. This revolver was manufactured in the mid-1870s as a cartridge revolver using the Richards-Mason conversion method. Colt manufactured approximately 3,800 Model 1851 Navies for .38 caliber metallic cartridges. They were among the first civilian metallic cartridge revolvers available in the Old West. The loading gate is numbered “2159.” “1257” is marked on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The cylinder has the matching partial serial number “257” and is roll engraved with the classic Naval Battle of Campeche. The frame features the two-line “-PAT. JULY.25.1871-/-PAT. JULY.2. 1872-” on the left side of the frame, and “36 CAL” is on the left shoulder of the trigger guard.
CONDITION: Excellent, with 95% plus of the original nickel. There is some extremely
minor loss on the high edges. The hammer retains most of its vivid original casehardening color. The undersized/age shrunken grips are very fine with attractive aged patina, minor age lines, and some light scratches and dings. Mechanically excellent. This is a superb example of a rare and historically important Colt firearm.
Provenance: The Phillip Otto Clark Collection.
Estimate: 9,500 - 13,000
174
LOT 1200
Attractive Factory Engraved Colt Pocket Navy Cartridge Conversion Revolver - Serial no.
20099, 38 RF cal., 4 1/2 inch octagon bbl., nickel finish, antique ivory grips. Only around 2,000 of these
revolvers were manufactured c. 1873-1875. This example has classic Germanic scroll engraving patterns on the
barrel, frame, grip straps, and hammer along with dot and track line borders on the cylinder and wolf head motif on the
hammer. The barrel has a brass post front sight, the one-line New York address, and a partially filled loading rod slot. The
cylinder has the classic stagecoach hold-up scene. The recoil shield on the right is cut for loading, and the hammer has a rim fire
firing pin pinned to the left side. The visible serial numbers are all matching, and there are “E” markings for engraving marked by
the lower serial number locations.
CONDITION: Very fine with crisp markings and engraving, 90% plus original nickel plating, some minor flaking at the edges and back
strap, and mild marks and scratches. The age shrunken grip is fine and has some loss at the edges, age cracks, and attractive natural tones. Mechanically fine. This is definitely a very attractive example of one of Colt’s earliest metallic cartridge revolvers. These Pocket Navy conversions were manufactured alongside the early Colt Single Action Army revolvers.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000